Friday, 30 July 2010

I first heard about the Brooklyn Sketchbook Project from Pam Holland's blog a few months ago. It sounds so interesting. The basic idea is that you submit a 'diary' or 'journal' based on set themes (which you select) or you create your own 'open' theme. You then send it in to a travelling 'library' that people visit. Inside the library, visitors 'check out' diaries (on location).

What a great idea...I have had so many journals, and it's always fascinating how flicking through pages can instantly transport your mind to 'that place'.

2 weeks ago I received my 'Moleskin Diary' from the Brooklyn Project. I am still a bit suprised at how slim this 'Moleskin' is. I have been using Moleskins for years and did think I would be receiving the normal type. You can see one of my old Moleskins (below) and the new Moleskin for the project resting on top. It is significantly thinner! I have done some etchings and the pages are very thin. I am thinking about how to get around this.

My Catergory is "Storybook' and I was planning to journal the story of Red Delicious. I also thought that if I didn't get around to finishing it (this is definitely likely!) in time, that I could use my 'Project Moleskin' as an extra journal (I always need more of those).

Now that it's arrived, I really couldnt use it for anything other than the Project as its size is no good to me.

So that's some motivation to get working.... and this is my cat making sure I'm using my new camera right...I was fiddling about and she's always where the action is...

Have you heard about this project? Are you taking part? What's your theme? Has anyone visited the travelling library in past years?

Friday, 23 July 2010

Red Delicious won 1st place in the small Quilts Catergory - Professional

Red Delicious won - Excellence in Domestic Machine Quilting

and Dream Fountain won- Runner Up in Open Art Quilts

I won three rossettes and I'm delighted! A big Thank You to the absolutely amazing sponsors of my prizes:

Patchwork & Quilters Guild of Victoria

Strathdale Quilters Inc

Mini Jumbuck & Yazzi International

It's such a nice feeling to bring home these awards!

Of course, it wouldnt be Showcase if I wasn't doing some last minute quilting. Yes, this year I was quilting 'against' the clock, eager to get In The Pink hanging at the show. This is why I've been absent from blogging. I've been so busy. Every year it's the same. I promise myself 'no more last minute quilting' because my machine ALWAYS plays up and I never do my skills justice when I am in a hurry. But I was so keen to get ITP out there, that I went ahead and finished it. Now I wish I really hadn't, because it's not hanging as straight as I'd like! This isnt too much of a problem as it will be washed and it is a bed quilt....but I am a fussy hanger and I would have liked to see my quilt looking better.

I didn't expect to win anything so my awards took me by suprise. So I didn't have my camera with me! I am going back in tomorrow and will take some snaps of my winning quilts, and if I can bare it, one of ITP too.

What a great show year it has turned out to be. I am in great company with the other winners. Congratulations to everyone and especially Linda Steel, who won Best of Show. (pic above)

I do have permission from Linda Steele to blog this pic of her quilt and I will take some more pics tomorrow. And I will take some close ups so you can see her extraordinary talent - it's a beautiful quilt. It's called “Eastern Elements”

Hope to catch up with everyone and see what's new at market tomorrow...

Thursday, 15 July 2010

The BOM continues this month with partial assembling of blocks and borders and bird applique. It's 'the calm before the storm' block as next month is the biggest installment. So I have paced it to leave you plenty of enthusiasm for Part 5.

I am having a great time seeing so many quilters progress with this BOM. So many different fabrics are being used, it's a real treat to see ITP made so many different ways.

Tuesday, 6 July 2010

I've been away doing family things and while I was away, the eagerly anticipated EQ7 package arrived!

I am looking forward to installing and getting stuck into some new designs. Hopefully this will save me hours of drafting line drawings. I am reading (Ok, flicking) through the book, waiting for my daughter to explain the finer points to me.

I am hoping that EQ7 makes my designing life simpler and more productive. I really have so many designs I have not had the time to develop into actual work yet...this may make the difference...or not....it seems that computers rule everything nowadays, but I don't know what they have improved. I am hoping that saved time will be the big change. I've also heard that EQ7 allows designs to be turned into needlwork patterns, which my daughter is excited about (and so am I as I would love to see her work some of my own sketches into embrodiery.) We'll see....

As I've been away, I forgot to blog that Sunshine & Shadow won an award at the Sydney Quilt Show. I expected to be there, but at the last minute was unable. Many thanks to Deborah Laurie who went to the effort of posting my quilt back to me along with my prize. I won fabric which I am commited to stash busting quickly. It's a lovely new edition. They are fabrics I would never have bought, so it's nice to be working with fabrics outside my 'usual'. Thank to Charles Parsons for sponsoring the award. I also received a pack of batting, which is always useful! I love new wool batting, I find that it quilts beautifully.

Welcome to My Blog

Hello, I'm Esther: a textile artist & quilter. This blog is where I share my original Free BOMs, work on projects, talk quilts and experiment with new techniques.

Find my Quilt Archives at the top of this page (and don't forget to add your own linky if you've made any of my quilts yourself) or leave a comment on the Quilt Archive Page and let us know what corner of the world you're in, it's always so nice to see how widespread our Group is!

Each Wednesday you're invited to take part in my Weekly WOWs linky party as bloggers around the world drop in to share their stash busting efforts.

And don't forget to join my BOM Groupwhere you can become a member and take part in my BOMs for free.

I'm so glad you're here

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Wednesdays are WOW days Linky Party

Join us each Wednesday as we share our WIPs, talk techniques and inspiration. If you don't have a blog, share your own WOW by leaving a comment each Wednesday.

Elmer's Disappearing Purple Glue

Here it is - my daily essential applique glue everyone always asks me about. I always buy it in the 6gram smaller size as it's easier to use in applique. I used to think this glue was 'starch' and have since been corrected on that point - but it's still my staple. It's effective yet washes away like a dream and doesn't gum up my machine when sewing.

2017 Mainly Applique Mystery BOM

Just Finished! Download NOW! My Free 2017 Block Of The Month!

It's the FINAL month of my Free BOM 2017. Diamond Hill will run Jan - July 2017 and the finished size is 72 x 72 inches. This is a Free BOM and you can download the pattern over in my BOM Quilt Group on Facebook or right here on my blog, on the 15th of each month. CLICK THIS IMAGE to go to the Diamond Hill ARCHIVE.

Have You Joined Yet?

This is the place to download current free BOM patterns, chat with others and share your ideas, tips and pics as you make any of my quilts! My Free BOM Quilt Group is located over on Facebook, click the image to apply to join. Membership is free. Click this image to join.

Start a New BOM Today!

These quilts are perpetual BOMs - you can start any time, and receive your blocks via email each month.

Sweet 2016 Wall Hanging BOM

This gorgeous quilt is ready and waiting for you to make a start! Click the image to read more about Sweet 2016!

Oma's Blues

Finished Size: 76 x 76 inches

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Looking for one of my quilts?

Love Entwined:1790 Marriage Coverlet

Make it month by month via subscription or purchase the pattern outright. Finished Size: 96 x 96 inches.CLICK THIS IMAGE to go to the Love Entwinedl ARCHIVE.

Thursday Flowers

Red December

Finished Size: 74 x 74 inches. CLICK THIS IMAGE to go to the Red December ARCHIVE.

12 Days of Christmas

Finished Size: 42 x 51 inches. CLICK THIS IMAGE to go to the 12 Days of Christmas ARCHIVE.

Glad Tidings

A bed quilt, Throw Quilt and Table Runner

Get Together & Quilt!

Reading, Sharing & Enjoying...

These are the books I love, rely on and know to be worth their space on my shelf.

I am currently downsizing but these books are my 'essentials' and will stay with me forever. I'm often asked which books I recommend for applique and quilting (and knitting) and I know I've scribbled titles down for people whenever I am out and about, so I'm really happy to share my bookshelf titles here.

I buy a lot of my books at the Book Depository and have done for the last 5 years, I definitely recommend them as a bookseller.

'Simply Successful Applique' by Jeanne Sullivan

This is a book I am always recommending - in my opinion its the only applique book a quilter needs. I've also had the pleasure of getting to know Jean online and she is as generous and thoughtful as this book is thorough and engaging. If you don't already own this title, why ever not?!

'QuiltMaking by Hand' by Jinny Beyer

I must have recommended this book at least 100 times in the last 10 years, it's an essential read for all quilters